Electrode device particularly for a tinning bath and the like

ABSTRACT

Electrode device for electrochemical baths, particularly for electrolytic tinning contrivances, comprising a container ( 10 ) having at least one liquid-permeable wall ( 14 ) and comprised of a material which remains unaffected by the electrochemical fluid, whereby said container ( 10 ) is provided for the accommodating of a material substance necessary for the electrochemical process.

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode device for atinning bath and the like.

[0002] The invention will be described in the following using theexample of a tinning bath for copper wires and copper strands. However,it must be pointed out that this exemplary description is not to beregarded as restrictive to the application of the invention and that, onthe contrary, the invention may also be applied in other areas ofelectrochemical and especially electrolytic treatment of materials andworkpieces.

[0003] In tinning contrivances, tin is electrochemically transferredfrom anode to workpiece; e.g., the wire which is to be tin-coated.

[0004] Tin plates suspended into the electrolytic bath are commonly usedas anodes. As the material transfer progresses over time, the anodeplates shrink and have to be replaced by new ones. What remains of theanode plates is melted down in recovery and production of new anodeplates.

[0005] This procedure is complicated and has the disadvantage,especially when only one anode plate is used, that the electrolyticprocess has to be interrupted when changing the anode.

[0006] Therefore, it has been proposed that instead of plates, basketsmade of metal—namely titanium—be suspended into the electrolytic bathand that these baskets be filled with individual tin beads, so-calledpellets. This process also has several disadvantages.

[0007] Thus, it is the task of the present invention to provide anelectrode device for an electrochemical procedure which avoids thedisadvantages of the known anode devices and enables an inexpensiverealization of the electrochemical procedure.

[0008] In accordance with the invention, this task is solved by means ofthe object of claim 1 or 2.

[0009] The task is additionally solved by an electrochemical bath inaccordance with claim 20.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise the subjectmatter of the subclaims.

[0011] The present invention particularly provides for an electrodedevice for electrochemical baths, especially electrolytic tinningcontrivances, which comprise a container, the walls of which are made atleast partly of an electrically non-conductive material. The electrodedevice further comprises a metal body which is in electricallyconductive contact with an electrochemically effective substance,respectively the metal body is configured in such a way that theelectrochemically effective substance accommodated in the container maybe brought into contact with it.

[0012] The container can be designed in different configurations and inparticular has a container bottom, likewise designated as a wall, aswell as lateral side walls. The container is open to the top. The outercontour of the lateral walls may also be of varying configurations, suchas rectangular, square, round, etc.

[0013] The container has at least one liquid-permeable wall. This wallis preferably configured as a grating or the like.

[0014] In the sense of the present invention, the term “wall” is to beprincipally understood as that of a restrictive element within thecontainer with respect to a certain direction or to various differentdirections or as the vicinity of such a limiting element.

[0015] The container walls are made of a material which remainsunaffected by specific electrochemical fluids, meaning in particularthose electrochemical fluids as commonly used in galvanizing or tinningsystems.

[0016] The container is provided for use during an electrochemicalprocess, especially during galvanization or tin-coating, etc., for theaccommodating of the substance necessary for the electrochemicalprocess.

[0017] This substance is particularly a material which can give off orabsorb ions. Preferably, the substance is an anode material. Thesubstance can be of various forms and preferably consists of a pluralityof pellets of round, conical or pill-shaped configuration.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that this substance is tin, wherebyother materials are also preferred.

[0019] The substance or anode material is particularly formed in such away that it disintegrates as the galvanization or tinning processprogresses, and that the ions released are transported through theelectrochemical fluid to the body to be galvanized or tinned, producinga surface layer thereupon.

[0020] According to the present invention, the metal body can be ofvarious configurations.

[0021] Preferably, the metal body comprises a section which extends inplanar or rod-like form.

[0022] It is particularly preferred that the container walls are formedat least partially by the metal body.

[0023] The metal body is supported against the container walls or atleast a part thereof is arranged within said container without cominginto actual contact with the container itself.

[0024] The metal body is formed as a single integral element orcomprises several contacting segments such that either they are affixedto one another or not affixed. The securing means between differentelements of the metal body provided as required can be configured insuch a way that these elements are releasable or non-releasable.

[0025] It is particularly preferred to provide said metal body with atleast one first section as well as at least one second section. Saidfirst section or sections especially serve for accommodating thematerial substance. Said first section preferably comprises slab-shapedor plate-shaped or flat or otherwise configured elements which canaccommodate said substance. Said first section or sections is/arepreferably aligned horizontally. In accordance with the presentinvention, curved or otherwise shaped first sections are likewisepreferred. At least one first section is formed as a sieve.

[0026] At least one part of said second sections is preferably formedsuch that same extends toward the depth of the container. This isparticularly to be understood as that the second sections' upper end issituated farther from the container bottom than its lower end.

[0027] It is particularly preferred for at least a part of said firstsections to extend laterally away from said second section and be inelectrically conductive connection with said second section.

[0028] The second section is preferably connected with one or moreelectrically conductive contact terminals which are made of or containcopper or the like. Said contact terminals enable the generating of anelectrically conductive connection between a conduction arrangementsituated external the container and the second section(s), allowing anelectrical current to flow between the conduction arrangement and thesecond section and, if applicable, the first section as well. Saidconduction arrangement is preferably configured such that it has copperbars or similar members in which the second section is hung, andparticularly in such a manner that the contact terminals come intocontact with said copper bars or similar members.

[0029] The second section is provided with through openings as required.

[0030] The second section is preferably rod-shaped or plate-shaped or ofother configuration.

[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the second section is arranged within the container such thatit divides the container or a part thereof into different chambers. Thissubdivision into chambers is particularly designed in such a way that aplate-shaped second section extends between two facing walls of thecontainer or between two facing corners of the container, particularlyarranged diagonally to one another.

[0032] The second section is preferably arranged diagonally within thecontainer, meaning relative the container transverse.

[0033] It is especially preferred for the first sections and the secondsections to be arranged essentially at the container's center, meaningrelative the plane of the container bottom or relative the volume of thecontainer.

[0034] Preferably, the first and/or the second section are arrangedwithin the container and with respect to each other such that theirform, configuration and arrangement support an electrolyte flow in thedirection of the electron flow as issues during the galvanization ortinning process.

[0035] Preferably, the metal body and particularly the second sectionare formed like a cowl which extends to the walls of the container, andparticularly the container wall's inward facing side.

[0036] The electrically non-conductive material of the container wallsis particularly that of plastic such as polypropylene (PP) orpolyethylene (PE) or the like.

[0037] The inventive task is further solved by an electrode device inaccordance with claim 2, which provides for a container having at leastone metallic liquid-permeable wall and consisting of a material whichremains electrochemically unaffected.

[0038] The electrode device further comprises a metal body which isparticularly configured and arranged such as previously described, butwhich differs from the metallic wall of the container and which is notin electrically conductive contact with same. Further, the electrodedevice has an electrical contact terminal, which is in electricallyconductive connection with the metal body and which can generate anelectrically conductive connection to a conduction arrangement externalthe container. The contact terminal is arranged and configured in such away that during the electrochemical process, thus specifically duringthe actual galvanization or tin-coating, the electrical potential of thecontainer's metallic walls is less than the electrical potential of thematerial substance which is in at least partial electrically conductiveconnection with the metal body.

[0039] Preferably, the metal body extends into the container such thatit is supported by the container bottom surface or that it is suspendedin the container with or without coming into contact with the containerwalls. Suspension arrangements for the metal body may be particularlyprovided on the container walls or on the outside of the container.Configuring the metal body as an insert which can be inserted into thecontainer, provided it is removable, is especially preferred.

[0040] The metal body is at least partly releasable from or firmlyconnected to the container or may be removed completely from thecontainer.

[0041] Preferably, the metal body has at least one component which issupported at different points on the walls of the container.

[0042] The container bottom is preferably a first section of said metalbody.

[0043] Preferably, at least one first section is disposed with throughopenings which enable the electrochemical fluid to flow through saidopenings to the substance accommodated at or on the first section.

[0044] Preferably, the first sections as well as the material substanceare formed in such a way that said first sections and, if applicable,said second sections are essentially wholly enveloped by said materialsubstance, especially meaning covered, such that the surface of saidfirst sections are not immersed and remain essentially free ofelectrolyte wash. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the metal body is configured such that during thegalvanization process, the current flow from the metal body isfundamentally directed centrally outward.

[0045] It is especially preferred for the metallic walls of thecontainer and/or the metal body to be at least partly made of titanium.

[0046] The contact terminal is preferably configured such that a copperelement is enveloped within a titanium layer, which is interrupted atthe area of contact with the conduction arrangement.

[0047] At least one support means is preferably provided for bearing thecontainer. Said support means particularly enables the hanging of thecontainer in a conduction arrangement, etc., such as metal runners. Saidsupport means are configured as hooks or other similar members andparticularly preferably comprise the electrically conductive contactterminal(s).

[0048] At least one container wall segment or at least one first sectionis preferably disposed with reinforcing means such as a webbing or thelike. Preferably, said first sections are arranged such within thecontainer that the substance which it accommodates comes into at leastpartial contact with the walls of the container.

[0049] The container preferably has at least one receiving means such ashooks or eyelets, etc., which can be employed for the transporting ofthe container. A transporting device like a crane with a crane hook orother such similar apparatus can then interlock with said receivingmeans.

[0050] Preferably, the support means and/or the receiving means arearranged below the container's upper wall edge, so that it is easy torefill substrate material into the container during the galvanizationprocess. Preferably, the inventive device is utilized for thegalvanizing of items of continuous lengths.

[0051] The task of the present invention is further solved by anelectrochemical bath according to claim 20.

[0052] The electrochemical bath comprises a reservoir with electrolyteinto which the electrode device according to the present invention,respectively the inventive container having at least oneliquid-permeable wall can be at least partially inserted or introduced.

[0053] Said container is in particular mounted or suspended by way of asupport means.

[0054] Preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention asgiven are not to be considered as restrictions to the invention.

[0055] In the following, the invention will be described in greaterdetail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are not to beconsidered as restricting of the present invention, and which thereinshow:

[0056]FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in schematic,partly sectional view; and

[0057]FIG. 2 a second exemplary embodiment of the invention inschematic, partly sectional view.

[0058]FIG. 1 shows an electrode device 1 according to the presentinvention having a container 10 and a metal body 12.

[0059] Said container comprises walls, respectively wall segments 14,16, 18.

[0060] Said walls or wall segments 14 are arranged essentially paralleland facing one another.

[0061] Wall segments 16 are likewise arranged essentially parallel andfacing one another.

[0062] Wall 18, which is the bottom of container 10, is a first section22.

[0063] Walls 16, 18 are each made of metal, particularly titanium, andconfigured to be fundamentally impermeable to liquids.

[0064] Walls 14 are liquid-permeable, as resulting from the fact thatsaid walls 14 are configured as gratings. Walls 14 are made of plasticsuch as polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0065] Metal body 12 comprises different sections, specifically secondsections 20 as well as first sections 22.

[0066] Second sections 20 are each of plate-shaped configuration. Two ofthese plate-shaped second sections 20 together respectively form onelateral wall 16 of the container. Two further second, respectivelyplate-shaped sections 20 project at an angle into the containerinterior, configured here as 90°, from said lateral walls 16 formed bysaid second sections 20 and specifically in such a manner that they aredistanced from grid-like electrically non-conducting walls 14. A furthersecond section 20 which is substantially of plate-shaped configurationis arranged at an inclined angle to walls 14 of container 10 andconnects facing walls 14 to one another.

[0067] Plates 24 extend over the upper edge 22 of the container from thesecond sections 20 forming the container's lateral walls 16; said platesalso being second sections 20 of the metal body.

[0068] Container bottom 18, which is also termed a “wall” and which ismetallic, is a second section of said metal body and is in electricallyconductive contact with said second sections 20, which constitute thelateral walls 16 of container 10, with said second sections 20 whichextend from lateral walls 16 into the container interior, as well aswith second section 20 arranged diagonally between non-conductive walls14 of container 10.

[0069] The container may be filled with pellets, such as tin pellets orthe like, and specifically in such a way that said pellets areaccommodated at the container bottom 18 and particularly come intocontact with second section 20 which forms lateral walls 16, secondsections 20 which extend into the container from lateral walls 16, aswell as second section 20 arranged diagonally between lateralnon-conducting walls 14.

[0070] Support means 26 are arranged at the upper ends of secondsections 20 projecting over the upper edge 22 of the container whichenable hanging the container in a conduction arrangement such as copperbands or the like. Said support means are made of titanium and haveelectrically conductive contact terminals 28 at which the titaniumcoating is interrupted so that the copper can come into direct contactwith said conduction arrangement.

[0071] The second section arranged diagonally between walls 14 is acontinuous plate and realizes the dividing of container 10 intodifferent chambers 30, 32.

[0072]FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention whichessentially corresponds to a rotated view of the embodiment representedin FIG. 1.

[0073] The embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment inaccordance with FIG. 1 essentially in that through openings 40 areprovided in second section 20 as arranged diagonally between walls 14 ofcontainer 10, said openings enabling electrolyte, respectively fluid toflow between chamber 30 and chamber 32 within container 10.

1. Electrode device for electrochemical baths, particularly for electrolytic tinning contrivances, comprising a container (10) having at least one liquid-permeable wall (14) and comprised of a material which remains unaffected by the electrochemical fluid, whereby said container (10) is provided for the accommodating of a material substance necessary for the electrochemical process, characterized in that said walls (14) of said container (10) are of an at least partly electrically nonconductive material, and at least one metal body is provided which is in electrically conductive contact with the electrochemically effective material substance.
 2. Electrode device for electrochemical baths, particularly for electrolytic tinning contrivances, comprising a container (10) having at least one metallic liquid-permeable wall and comprised of a material which remains unaffected by the electrochemical fluid, whereby said container (10) is provided for the accommodating of a material substance necessary for the electrochemical process, characterized in that at least one metal body is provided which is different from the metallic liquid-permeable wall, which does not come into contact with said wall, and which is in electrically conductive contact with the electrochemically effective material substance, and at least one electrically conductive contact terminal is provided, which is in electrically conductive contact with said metal body and which is arranged and configured such that the electrical potential of said metallic liquid-permeable wall during an electrochemical process is less than the electrical potential of at least a portion of said material substance.
 3. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) extends into or in said container (10) and, when applicable, is in contact with said container (10).
 4. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said walls (14; 16; 18) of said container (10) are formed at least partially by said metal body (12) of same.
 5. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) comprises at least one first section (22) which accommodates material substance.
 6. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) comprises at least one second section (20) which extends essentially toward the depth of said container and from which at least one first section (22) for accommodating said material substance branches off laterally.
 7. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first section (22) is disposed with through openings which enable the fluid present in said container (10) to flow from the bottom of said first section (22) through said first section (22) to the substance accommodated at the top of said first section (22).
 8. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) is at least at parts, and particularly in the region of said first sections (22), essentially completely enveloped by said material substance.
 9. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) is at least partly an insert which, provided it is removable, can be inserted into the container (10).
 10. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first section (22) is releasably secured to a second section (20).
 11. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (10) is divided into different chambers (30; 32) by said metal body (12).
 12. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first section (22) and/or said second section (20) is/are arranged essentially at the center of said container.
 13. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) is disposed with at least one structural member arranged essentially diagonally in said container (10).
 14. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal body (12) and/or said metallic walls (14; 16; 18) is/are at least partly made of titanium.
 15. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support means (26) is provided for supporting said container (10).
 16. Electrode device in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that at least one electrically conductive contact terminal (28) is disposed in the region of said support means (26) in electrically conductive contact with said metal body (12).
 17. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one segment of said walls (14; 16; 18) of said container (10) or at least one first section (22) of said container (10) comprises reinforcing means such as webbing, etc.
 18. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one receiving means is arranged on said container (10) into which a transporting device such as a crane having a crane hook or other such similar apparatus can interlock for the transporting of said container (10).
 19. Electrode device in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that said support and/or receiving means is/are arranged below the upper edges of said walls of said container (10).
 20. Electrochemical bath having a reservoir containing an electrolyte, into which said container (10) of said electrode device is introduced, in particular suspended, in accordance with one of the preceding claims. 